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BMW · Supermini · 2013–2022

BMW i3 I01

Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice

★★★★★
3.0 / 5.0 · Based on 1 engine variants

Engine Overview

The BMW i3 I01 is available with 4 engine variants — from 170 to 184 hp.

Elektromotor · Elektro· 170 PS
2013 2017
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
i3 REx · Elektro· 170 PS
2013 2017
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
i3s · Elektro· 184 PS
2018 2022
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →
i3s REx · Elektro· 184 PS
2017 2022
Be Careful 5 weaknesses
Show all weaknesses →

The BMW Elektromotor (Elektro, 170 PS) has the BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The BMW i3 REx (Elektro, 170 PS) has the BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The BMW i3s (Elektro, 184 PS) has the BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

The BMW i3s REx (Elektro, 184 PS) has the BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.

Vehicle Weaknesses

WeaknessCost
!HV battery degradation on early models

Early i3s (22 kWh, up to 2017) without active thermal management show stronger battery degradation. From 2017 (33 kWh) under 5% per year is expected. BMW new battery price approximately 12,000–14,000 € including fitting.

Symptoms: Noticeably lower range than stated, faster discharge compared to new condition, higher consumption displayed.
from 120,000 km
Ad BMW i3 Akku ErsatzBMW I01 HV battery
 High
NHTSA Owner Complaints
Average
174 complaints · 2013–2022
Steering
41
Body Structure
31
Electrical
24 ⚠ 1
Powertrain
23 ⚠ 1
Airbags
23 ⚠ 4

Top Reported Issues

⚠ Steering (41 complaints)
⚠ Body Structure (31 complaints)
⚠ Electrical (24 complaints)
Source: NHTSA (nhtsa.gov) · 2026-03

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Known Problems and Issues

A total of 12 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW i3 I01 (2013–2022) — 5 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Cooling, Other, Electronics, Body.

i3 (BMW-i3-eDrive, 2013–2017) — Be Careful: HV battery degradation, Bearing and gear damage in reduction gearbox, Range extender timing chain jumps (REx variant). Power: 170 PS.

i3 (BMW-i3-eDrive, 2018–2022) — Be Careful: HV battery degradation, Bearing and gear damage in reduction gearbox, Range extender timing chain jumps (REx variant). Power: 184 PS.

What to watch out for with the BMW i3? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What problems and weaknesses does the BMW i3 I01 have? +
The BMW i3 I01 has 5 known engine weaknesses and 7 vehicle weaknesses.
What should I look for when buying a used BMW i3 I01? +
faq.watch_a_none
Which engine is recommended? +
Be careful: BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor). No engine is rated 'Good Choice'. The most fun to drive is the BMW-i3-eDrive (Elektromotor).
Which BMW i3 I01 engine is the most fun? +
The {code} ({displacement}) offers the most driving fun in the BMW i3 I01 — rated: "Decent". {description} Low centre of gravity, instant power delivery — distinctive driving pleasure. i3s especially nippy.
Is the BMW i3 I01 worth buying used? +
The BMW i3 I01 requires careful consideration — choosing the right engine variant is crucial.
What horsepower variants are available for the BMW i3 I01? +
The BMW i3 I01 is available with engine variants from 170 to 184 hp.

Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee